12 Universities of Applied Sciences: Finland Needs Professional Doctoral Education
A group of 12 universities of applied sciences is proposing a pilot programme for professionally-oriented doctoral education to be launched during the next government term. The proposal stems from concerns about Finland’s declining competitiveness, weakening innovation capacity, and falling behind in European development.
Finland’s competitiveness, skill level, and innovation capability demands new solutions. The 12 universities of applied sciences propose the introduction of a professional doctorate programme that responds to the needs of working life and businesses, supports the development of organisational competence, and strengthens the vitality of regions and the whole country. The proposal will be published at an event held at the Citizens’ Info in the Little Parliament in Helsinki on 5 November 2025 from 11:00 to 12:30.
“Professional doctoral education is already in place in many European countries, such as Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Now it is Finland’s turn to grant universities of applied sciences the right to educate doctoral candidates who will develop Finnish working life, enhance the competitiveness of businesses and the country, and provide solutions to organisational development needs,” says Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä, Vice President of Häme University of Applied Sciences and Chair of the working group behind the proposal.
The Professional Doctorate is a work-oriented, multidisciplinary, and solution-focused degree that complements the current higher education structure. It is equivalent in level to a university doctoral degree but serves a different purpose. The degree is aimed at professionals who wish to develop their field and workplace through research-based methods. The research questions and development needs arise from working life, and solutions are implemented during the doctoral studies. Typically, the degree is completed alongside employment within the workplace.
“We have the necessary expertise, a shared vision, and the readiness to advance doctoral education. All that is needed now is political will and legislative support to enable the training of professional doctorates during the next government term,” Ahokallio-Leppälä states.
The proposal for professional doctorate has been prepared by a working group representing the following 12 universities of applied sciences:
- Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
- Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
- Humak University of Applied Sciences
- JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Jyväskylä)
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk)
- Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences
- Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences
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